A 25-year-old fugitive accused of committing a sexual offense in North Carolina has been arrested in Volusia County after he was caught hiding in the backyard of a local residence.
On Friday, October 17, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies managed to track down the fugitive, identified Zachary Edmister. According to VCSO, Edmister was located in the backyard of a home on Redwood Avenue in Orange City.
When deputies made contact with Edmister and asked for his name, he allegedly provided his brother’s name in an attempt to avoid being arrested. However, deputies were soon able to confirm Edmister’s identity, and they discovered that he was wanted in North Carolina for a first-degree felony forcible sex offense.
In addition, a local warrant had been issued for Edmister’s arrest after he missed a court date in connection with a charge of lewd or lascivious molestation.
Edmister was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond while awaiting extradition to North Carolina. He is being charged with providing a false name to a law enforcement officer and failure to appear, along with charges stemming from the North Carolina case.